Improvising on the Edge of Catastrophe!

March 24, 2007

This past week at Northern Hills we highlighted a few of our missionaries. I love spending time with those who have given their lives to "GO", in the name of Jesus. Through my experiences and interactions, missionaries are people who:

Have an incredible heart for God and people. They are not motivated by stuff, status, or superfluous experiences. They are motivated by living a life that makes a difference for all eternity.

See possibility and Godly potential in people, circumstance, celebrations, and tragedy.

Are very aware of their own weaknesses and serve God with great humility.

Somehow balance being patient and relentless. This is truly an art and essential for every missionary.

I could go on, but for now I want to remind us that all people who follow Jesus are missionaries. Maybe you are not called to go to a foreign land, but you are called to go. A church is to be a community of missionaries to their communities and beyond.

Do something today that will make a missionaries day. Send a letter or email encouraging them, send some financial support, spend some time praying for missionaries you know or don't know and then let them know that you prayed for them.

Consider going on a short-term mission trip.

Check out this Missionary Blog and get to know some of those we support at NHCC.

March 13, 2007

One of the many things that I have been reminded of while teaching through the book of Judges, is how God uses flawed people in incredible ways. Just about every judge that God used to deliver the Israelites was flawed.

Thinking this through I was challenged by the following thought. It is not real hard for me to offer my strengths or giftedness over to God. However, I am not so quick to offer my weaknesses. I am sure that this is because of pride, and maybe even some doubt that God can use even my weaknesses. It is hard to imagine how God can use my doubt, fear, anger, and lack of patience.

March 12, 2007

I set a goal to run over the winter. Most years I run consistently between March and Sept/Oct. This year I was determined to run the other months too. I started keeping track of my running here on my blog. Not much to keep track of so far. Only 10 runs. (I have some good reasons for being a slacker, but...)

However, March is here and it is time to run again. Run 11 took place on Saturday. It was slow, but it felt great!

Based on the comments and emails, most readers believe that I probably served the eviction papers. This is probably because of my massive physique, cat like quickness, and intimidating presence. Or possibly, you all think that I am really dumb. Hmmm...

If you have no idea what I am talking about, read the previous two posts.

Well, at first I said yes that I would serve the eviction notice to the dangerous man and get help from the local authorities. However, after about five more minutes of thought, and receiving wisdom from my dear wife who assumed that I would be killed by helping in this way, I called back and told Hank "NO". I explained how uncomfortable I was with the idea of possibly being shot, punched, slapped, or yelled at.

Hank did not seem to hold it against me and we went on to have a good friendship. In fact a few weeks later I helped his family move. Kind of ironic!

March 06, 2007

OK, today isn't tomorrow, but to continue my previous post... what would you do?

Northern Hills was a church plant 21 years ago. In those early days, the survival of the church seemed to depend on attracting and keeping people. I know that it ultimately depended on God, but it is hard to meet as a church when you have no people.

Part of the keeping people was getting to know visitors and serving them in very practical ways. Seldom did I say no to a request.

In what was probably the third year of Northern Hills I received a phone call from a guy who I will call Hank. Hank and his family had been attending the church for several months and we were part of the same small group. He and his wife were very passionate about ministering to troubled teens and they did a magnificent job. However, it was from this family that I received my most unusual request as a pastor. The phone conversation went something like this:

Me:Hello

Hank:Hey Rob. We are going out of town for the week and I was wondering if you would do me a favor?

Me: (thinking feed the cat, water the lawn, take in the mail. I could be committed to the mail and lawn.) Sure!

Hank:Thanks! We own this rental property and we need you to do something for us. I thought a pastor would be a good person to do this.

Me: (thinking - hmmm a blessing on your house?) OK

Hank:We need you to serve eviction papers to our renter who has not paid the rent for several months.

Me: (thinking - what did I learn in Bible College about this?) Is it even legal if I am the one who serves the papers? (Lame attempt to escape the situation)

Hank:We checked all of that out and everything is ready. If they are not home you can just nail it to the door. We would do it, but we are leaving town. Is that something that you could do for us?

Me: (thinking - no way crazy dude!) Yes. I could do that for you.

Hank:That is great. Thanks! That really helps out. One more thing. The guy has been pretty violent with us. So when you go over to give him the notice, you might see if you can get a county sheriff to go with you.